James Franklin's success no surprise to ESU pals

His best friend and former coach say the highly sought-after Vanderbilt coach will be a success whereever he goes.

January 03, 2014|By Jeff Schuler, Of The Morning Call

Santella said Franklin is comfortable sitting down with a prospective recruit at an intercity high school, with the country music stars that call Nashville home, or with "one of those Vanderbilt donors worth $10 million or so.

"He can relate to CEOs and the person on the street,," Douds said. "We have a person here in the community whose daughter goes to Vanderbilt, and she said when James stopped by her sorority to sell the program everyone got excited just listening to him."

Although both are coaches, Franklin and Santella didn't meet on a football field. Santella, who didn't play football at East Stroudsburg, helped out Jody Cwik at Freedom as a volunteer assistant coach during his college days. Meanwhile, Franklin, recruited by Douds out of Neshaminy, backed up Bret Comp for two years after a redshirt season, then was a two-year starter for the Warriors. As a senior he set school records for passing yards, total offense and touchdown passes and was a candidate for the 1994 Harlon Hill Trophy as the best player in Division II.

"We just kind of migrated toward each other through school and became roommates as seniors, and our friendship has really grown," Santella said. "James gives me life advice, and I'd like to think I give him life advice. And when he calls, the thing James wants to talk about is James Franklin and Vanderbilt. He asks about our players and wants to know what's up with East Stroudsburg and coach Douds."

Santella has a simple piece of advice for his friend.

"I'm going to tell him this — sit down with Fumi [Franklin's wife] and two daughters, close the door, turn your phone off. Sit down and decide what's best for the Franklin family. Maybe that's at Vanderbilt, maybe somewhere else. Then open door up and don't look back."